Timothy

Timothy was born in Lystra to a Jewish mother named Eunice and a Greek father. Both his mother and grandmother Lois were believers who taught him the Scriptures from childhood. When Paul visited Lystra on his second missionary journey, Timothy was already well-spoken of by the believers there, and Paul chose him as a traveling companion.

Because Timothy had a Greek father, Paul had him circumcised to avoid unnecessary offense to Jews in their ministry. Timothy proved himself faithful, and Paul entrusted him with important missions: strengthening the Thessalonians during persecution, addressing problems in Corinth, and eventually leading the church at Ephesus. Paul called Timothy his "beloved son" in the faith.

Paul's two letters to Timothy provide a window into their relationship and Timothy's responsibilities. Paul encouraged him not to let anyone despise his youth but to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. He urged Timothy to guard the deposit of truth, endure hardship as a good soldier, and faithfully teach others who would teach others still.

Timothy apparently struggled with timidity and frequent illnesses, but Paul's confidence in him never wavered. Scripture says Timothy was with Paul during his first Roman imprisonment and was later imprisoned himself. Tradition holds that Timothy served in Ephesus until his martyrdom, faithfully carrying forward the mission Paul had entrusted to him.